News

Forbes online writer Jacquelyn Smith has published another productivity-tip-laden article, this time on staying productive during the winter when many of us would rather hibernate in our warm beds. The article

The Chicago chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers has a new book club that will meet twice a year and their inaugural book selection is Stop Organizing, Start Producingby Casey Moore. “It’s a huge honor to review my work in this way,” says Casey. “I can’t wait to hear what they think!”

Yes, it’s cheesy, but I love holiday letters. It’s fun to look back on the year and reflect on blessings and growth. If you like them too, or you just want to see how my year went, click here: Casey’s holiday letter 2012And have a Happy New Year!

As 2012 draws to a close, here’s a strategy to stay productive personally and professionally. You’ll “produce” peace within and with others (e.g., family) when you can accept what is instead of always trying to engineer what “should” be.

Casey’s eTip: Practice Acceptance, Not Correction
“Just for today I will be agreeable…courteous, criticize not one bit. I won’t find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.”

Source: “Just for Today” from Al-Anon Family Groups
(This eTip brought to you by the Drive (Attitude) link in your Productivity Chain.)

It’s 3 weeks to Halloween, 6 to Thanksgiving, 12 to New Year’s. Here are a few ways to get ready ahead of the curve this season:
* Decide how YOU want your holidays to be (simple, fancy, etc.).
* Consult family about who’s going where…these decisions can take weeks.
* Book your travel ASAP so you have more options.
* Make your gift list and start shopping.(This eTip brought to you by the Planning link in your Productivity Chain.)

A survey of Human Resource managers found that 83% thought your desk reflected your professionalism. Not very orderly…not very professional. You won’t get fired for it, but clutter may limit your advancement–fair or not.*

Casey’s eTip: Clear the Clutter One Scrap at a TimePiles and scattered notes reflect decisions deferred. To clear the clutter, decide the VERY NEXT ACTION for each item, one paper or post-it at a time. Put those actions on a list and the papers in the trash or the file drawer.

(This eTip brought to you by the Organization of Objects and Data link in your Productivity Chain.)

Running relieves my stress, keeps me fit, helps me sleep and keeps me mentally sharp. This September 2, my husband Mark and I ran the Virginia Beach Half-Marathon. It was my fourth time and his first. I was so excited to run with him. It was definitely my most fun race yet. You can see us crossing the finish line and with our medals afterwards.

Nowadays “teamwork” has come to mean “don’t make waves no matter what.” In reality, successful teams’ members challenge each other to be the best, whether they’re in sports, military, business, art, etc.

Casey’s eTip: Embrace Disagreements within Your TeamWhen disagreement arises, step into it, not away. What can you learn from others’ perspectives? Their ideas might clarify–or improve–your own. As an old Yiddish proverb says, “If all pulled in one direction, the world would keel over.”

(This eTip brought to you by the Communication/Relationships link in your Productivity Chain.)

I recently returned from a 12-day trip with my husband Mark. We hiked a 170-mile section of the Appalachian Trail from (roughly) Bennington, VT to Pawling, NY. Despite the brief, almost daily showers (and very swollen feet), it was so fun. Here are a few images: https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/23179784/1/FamilyPhotoShare?h=7f3c8a

The annual ICD conference, which takes place in Chicago, will offer sessions for the public, too, on September 19 from 6 to 8 pm. The theme is Why Can’t I Get Organized? Some Causes and Solutions for Disorganization. The registration fee is $15 prior to September 17 or $25 at the door of the event. To learn registration details, go to http://challengingdisorganization.com/content/2012-conference

Casey Moore has been nominated for the prestigious Founders Award of the National Association of Professional Organizers by Jan Wencel (www.lifecontained.com) and others. “It’s an honor to be nominated, to be recognized by my peers in such a way,” says Ms. Moore. “I’m thrilled, whatever the outcome.” As NAPO’s website explains, “the Founders’ Award is presented to a member…whose outstanding contributions have helped move the organizing profession forward. Through the Founders’ Award, the association says it admires and respects the recipients’ professionalism and achievements and is proud to have them as industry colleagues.” The award will be announced at NAPO’s annual convention, which will be held in Baltimore this March. [January 23, 2012, Chesapeake, VA]

Casey will appear on the “Building a Better Life” show hosted by Edith White on Hampton University’s WHOV (88.1 FM) today, January 9, at 12:00pm ET. You can listen live at http://whov.hamptonu.edu/. Check it out and maybe call in.

Improve your productivity by being friendly with others (strengthening your Communication/Relationships link). Connect with the admin staff at your doctor’s office. Get to know the security guard in your building. Remember that the faceless customer service agent on the other end of the line is a father, aunt, friend to others–a human being as worthy as you. Your friendliness may pay dividends down the road when you need special assistance. Even if it doesn’t, your open attitude will make you feel better about the world.

I’m pleased to announce that I earned the designation of Certified Organizer Coach®. In 2009 I began intensive training and practice through the Coach Approach program led by Master Coach Denslow Brown and ADHD Coach Cameron Gott. Certification required a certain number of hours of coursework and real coaching hours, a recorded call, and a live, juried coaching call. It was like graduate school and now I’ve got my degree. To learn more about my productivity coaching, download this pdf. — Casey

I’m excited that I get to do a talk in Chicago for a national company this week. I’ll show them how they can use Microsoft Outlook to increase their productivity. It’s one of my favorite topics. It’s especially fun to show high-performers how to up their game a bit more. Best way to learn Outlook? Right-click everything.

Congratulations to all the Administrative Assistants around the world. You are the glue that holds organizations, departments, and people together. There has been a trend for the past few decades to cut administrative positions and it’s a huge mistake. What you do matters. How you do it matters. I’ve been one of you. I’m always honored to work with you, and I hope you have a wonderful day.

I’ve had the privilege of working with a number of professionals at TowneBank, one the country’s fastest-growing regional bank/insurance/realty/enterprise phenomenon, located here in Hampton Roads (southeastern Virginia).
Several of my clients have qualified for Chairman’s Club, meaning they performed exceptionally well and are being rewarded with a lovely vacation, courtesy of Bob Aston, Towne’s founder. I hope all of you have a fun time and let go of work while you’re away.

Just got back from the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Organizers. It was an amazing experience. NAPO recognized FedEx and Soles for Souls for their amazing productivity and charitable works. And my colleagues loved the Productivity Chain model. Thanks to everyone who attended the session, bought the book, and made the conference happen.

Here’s what Bob Aston, the highly productive and successful founder of TowneBank, Hampton Roads’ #1 regional financial institution, wrote about Stop Organizing, Start Producing: “The Productivity Chain is unique in its simplicity, yet compelling in setting forth a ‘GPS’ track to high performance. Congratulations on a job well done!”

Topic:“Stop Organizing, Start Producing”Description:Stop wasting your time getting “organized” (again) and start producing results instead. Learn the secrets to sustainably high productivity that Casey shares in her new book, Stop Organizing, Start Producing, which will be released that day.Time:Tuesday, March 1, 7:00-9:00 PM ETLocation:St. Patrick’s Catholic School (1000 Bolling Avenue, Norfolk, VA)Fee:$30To Register:click or copy and paste the link below. If you have difficulty, use the link next to St. Patrick’s above. https://app.etapestry.com/cart/StPatrickCatholicSchool/default/item.php?ref=1948.0.189006963

Casey Moore has unveiled her new interactive website, www.CaseyMooreInc.com. This well-designed, powerful site (produced by Tom Noffsinger of The Primm Company) is completely connected with social media, with an interactive blog feature. You, the user, can not only learn about how Casey can help you become more productive in general, but you can ask Casey your questions directly as well.

Casey Moore has completed an intensive training through Denslow Brown’s Coach Approach program and submitted her certification application today to the Applied Coaching Institute. For the past two years, Casey has taken eight classes (over 70 hours of class time) and logged hundreds of coaching hours. She’s also worked with mentor coach Cameron Gott. While many people call themselves “coaches,” only a small percentage have actually trained in this specialized discipline, as Casey has. The skills she has developed and have enhanced her ability to help her clients. If her application is accepted, Casey will become a Certified Organizing Coach later this year. Stay tuned!

Casey Moore’s upcoming book, Stop Organizing, Start Producing, includes productivity industry leaders who have either reviewed the book or agreed to have their work covered in it, including Brian Tracy, Dr. Stephen Covey, David Allen, Denslow Brown, Barbara Hemphill, Judith Kolberg, and Patty Kreamer. Casey’s book will shake up this conventional wisdom about “organizing” and productivity.

Casey Moore will provide a series of productivity workshops for Norfolk-based law firm Rutter Mills, working with attorneys, management and key staff. The first workshop in the series is titled “Take Your Performance to the Next Level (The Productivity Chain Approach) and will take place in early March.